According to Singh’s account on LinkedIn, the company had initially shortlisted a backend developer who was earning 21 lakh rupees per annum. After evaluation, the startup extended an offer of 28 lakh rupees per annum, representing an increase of approximately 33 percent. The candidate accepted the offer and confirmed his intention to join the organization.
However, the situation escalated two days before the scheduled joining date when the candidate sent an email requesting a revision of the agreed compensation. In his message, the candidate stated that he had since received another offer of 32 lakh rupees per annum and sought a revised package of 36 lakh rupees per annum from Knot Dating. He also added a personal condition stating that he does not work on weekends, describing it as a deliberate work-life balance choice.
Singh expressed strong disapproval of the request, stating that while salary negotiations are a normal part of recruitment, revising terms after formally accepting an offer and at such a late stage is unprofessional. He further highlighted that the company had already paused discussions with other applicants after finalizing the candidate.
In his post, Singh remarked that the candidate had initially agreed to the offer and confirmed joining, but later returned with a higher compensation demand after receiving a competing offer. He questioned the rationale behind final acceptance followed by subsequent renegotiation, describing the situation as unacceptable in professional hiring practices.
The post has triggered a divided response online. While some users supported the company’s position, arguing that offer commitments should be respected once accepted, others defended the candidate’s actions, stating that individuals often choose opportunities based on better compensation and market conditions. Several commenters also noted that companies frequently prioritize organizational interests during restructuring and hiring decisions.
The incident has reignited discussions around recruitment ethics, offer acceptance discipline, and evolving salary negotiation practices in the technology sector, particularly within startups operating in competitive talent markets.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the growing tension between employee bargaining power and employer expectations in India’s rapidly evolving tech hiring landscape.
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